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' 2 Sheets-Sheet 1..

(No Model.)

L. STEINBERGER. REVERSIBLE-FOLDING SLATE.

Patented June 28, 1887.

WITNESSES INVENTOR MWE ATTORNEYS.

N. PETERS. Phnhrlllhognpher. Washmgom D. c.

2 ShQets- Shet 2-.

(N0 Modjl.)

L. ST-EINBERGER. REVERSIBLE FOLDING SLATE.

Patented June '28, 1887.

INVENTOR ATTORNEYS.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFI E.

LOUIS S'IEINBERGER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

REVERSIBLE FOLDING SLATE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 365,549, dated June 28, 1887.

Application filed February 28, 1887. Serial No. 229.133. (No model.)

assuming such a stooping position andto form a convenient adjustable lapdesk that I have devised the folding slate or tablet forming the subject-matter of this invention, which consists, essentially, of two reversible hinged slate or tablet panels that are provided with an adjustable spacing attachment, whereby the two.

' tablets may be held extended at any desired angle, either face of each tablet being arranged so that it may be brought into use.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification,

in which similar figures of reference indicate corresponding parts in allthe views.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved folding slate or tablet, representing the same as it appears when used as a lap tablet or slate, this being my preferred construction. Fig. 2 is a face view of one of the slate-panels. Fig. 3 is an edge view of the construction illustrated in'Fig. 2, the view being taken on the broken line a: m of said figure. Fig. 4 is a face view of a modified construction, a part of one side of the slate-frame being broken away to disclose the construction of the inclosed parts. Fig. 5 is an edge view of the construction illustrated in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is an edge view of a foldingslate embodying my construction. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the slate or tablet when adjusted for use upon a desk, the adj usting attachment being that illustrated in Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is an edge view of two tablets that are provided with my preferred form of adjusting attachment, and Fig. 9 is a sectional detail view taken on line 00 a: of Fig. 8.

In constructing such a folding slate or tablet as the one illnstrated in the drawings above referred to, I connect two slate panels or tab-' lets, 10 and 11, by means of rings 12, as shown in Figs. 1 and 6, or by reversible web-hinge of ordinary form, as shown at 13 in Figs. 7 and .taining leaves or clips 16.

outer side edges of the panel 10, the ends of the arms being formed with eyes 7, that are engaged by screws 8, that extend inward through slots 20 to engage with nuts 9, which ride beneath the metallic plates in which the slots 20 are formed, saidplates being connected to the panel 11, the arrangement being such that the parts may be adjusted to such position as may be required and then clamped to place. In Figs. 6 and 7 the ends of the arms 14 are bent inward, as shown at e, and in the edges of the panel 11 there may be formed a number of apertures, 6, as represented in Fig. 6, or metallic plates f may besecured to the edges of these panels, said plates being formed with a longitudinal central depression, g, and with a number of apertures, h, with which the hooks 6 may be brought into engagement. In Figs. 2 and 3 the adj usting-arms'14 aremounted in longitudinal slots 15, being held within said slots, when not in use, by swinging re- The panel in this case is formed with a series of apertures, 2, said apertures being formed in each side face of the side strips of the slate-frame, as is best shown in Fig. 3, the construction being such that the adj usting-arms 14 may be moved to a position to engage one set of the apertures 2 of either face of thepanel or slate 11. In Figs.

connected to the outer edges of the side frames of the panel or slate 10, the extending ends of 2 these arms being bent inward to pass through a longitudinal slot, 17, that is formed in a metal case, 18, that is secured to the outer edge of each side of the panel or frame 11, the extreme inner end of the arms 14, in the construction under consideration, being, contracted, as shown at 3, and this contracted portion is normally held in the position in which it is shown in Fig. 4 by the action of a spring, 4. From the slot 17 there lead a number of side slots, 5, the entrance to these slots being contracted, as indicated, the arrangement being such that when the panels 10 and 11 are spread apart the inwardly-extending end of the arm 14 will not engage with any of the slots until the arms are pulled outward to bring their contracted portions 3 into register with the contracted openings to the slots 5; but when the contracted portions of the arms and slots are so brought to register, the arms may be slipped within the slots and the parts will be held against any accidental displacement.

With such a slate or panel as the one above described I provide for the use of either face ofeach panel, and I also provide for the use of the device as illustrated in Fig. 7, wherein the panel 11 is shown in the position it would assume when resting upon a desk or table; or the device might be adjusted as represented in Fig. 8, in which the hinged connection between the two slates or panels is shown as removed from the table, the two panels resting upon their free ends.

In using the slate or panel as a lap-slate it may be adjusted as represented in Fig. 1, an inspection of which figure will show that all stooping on the part of the user is obviated, although a firm support is afforded for the slate or panel that is in use.

Outside of the convenience resulting from the construction above described, this matter of overcoming the necessity of stooping renders my folding slate or panel a sure preventive of the many forms of pulmonary disease so often contracted by scholars.

Although I have described the two sections of my folding slate or panel as being connected by rings or web-hinges, it will of course be understood that any other proper hinge or connecting device could be employed.

Having thus fully described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. As a new article of manufacture, adoublcpanel slate or tablet wherein the two panels are reversibly hinged and provided with an adjusting attachment, substantially as described.

2. As a new article ofmanufacture, a doublepanel slate or tablet wherein the two panels are reversibly hinged, one or more adjusting arms or supports being arranged in connection with the panels, substantially as described.

3. Asa newartiele of manufacture, adoublepanel slate or tablet wherein the two panels are reversibly hinged together, one of the panels being provided with one or more adjusting attachments-that are arranged to engage with screws arranged in connection with the other panel, substantially as described.

4. As a new article ofmanufacture, a doublepanel slate or tablet wherein the two panels are reversibly hinged together, and wherein one of the panels is provided with pivotallymounted adjusting-arms, the points of which are formed with eyes that are engaged by screws adjustably connected to the other panel, substantially as described.

5. As a new article ofmauufacture, a doublepanel slate or tablet wherein the two panels are reversibly hinged together, one of the panels being provided with one or more pivotallymounted adjusting arms or supports that are formed with eyes 7, metallic strips formed with slots 20, screws 8, and nuts with which the screws engage being arranged in connection with the other panel,substantially as described.

LOUIS STEINBERG ER. 

